Heating and air conditioning apparatus



Dec. 19, 1939.

R. E. DALY Er AL 2,184,095

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Filed Nov. l0, -1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l l i INVENToRs "l @06567527445/ 1&0, AT NEY Dec. 19, 1939. n. E. DALY ET Al.

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS 2 SheeAcs-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. l0, 1937 tente ee.. 191 i939 HEATING. AND Ant CONDITIONING APPARATUS Robert E. Daly, Bronxville, and Bernard Goerg,

Scarsdale, N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to American Radiator & Standard Sanitary Corporation, New York, N. Y.,.a corporation of Delaware Application November l0, 1937, Serial No.

6 Claims.

d An object of our invention is to provide apparatus of the above type which is simple and inexpensive in construction and which operates in an improved and efllcient manner.

The invention consists in the novel construcw tion and combination of parts, to be more fully described hereinafter, and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, to be taken as M a part of this` specification, we have fully and clearly illustrated a preferred embodiment of our invention, in which- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section through a part of the basement and first floor of a house 20 and showing one embodiment of our invention as installed therein;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a combined heat-exchange and humidifying device which forms a part of the embodiment of our 2li invention illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal or plan section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; I

30P Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse vertical section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section showing an outlet wall box for delivering humidiiied air into the room spaces; and

36 Fig. '1 is a plan section taken on the of Fig. 6.

Referring now in detail to the construction illustrated, it will be observed that we have shown our improved apparatus as installed in a building 40 which may be of any desired type; for example, the conventional dwelling house. A portion of the room spaces of the upper floor of this building is indicated by the reference character I3, and a portion of the basement space of such building is a indicated at II.

Within the room spaces I is located a suitable radiator I2 for heating the air therein, and there is also located in the room spaces an outlet box I3 w y for supplyinghumidiiied air to the room spaces. Arranged within the basement-space II is a conventional type of boiler furnace Il connected to the radiator I2 by the usual supply and return mains I and I6, respectively. Any desired heatu ing fluid may be used to transmit ,the heat generated in the boiler It to the radiator I2; for example, hot water or steam.

Arranged also in the basement space is a hot Water storage tank I1 forming a part of a system for supplying hot tap water to the usual 5 bathrooms, lavatories, etc., in the room spaces.

A hot water discharge pipe I8 is connected to the tank I1 and is adapted to be connected in a well known manner to the hot water taps, not shown. The usual cold water supply pipe for the hot l0 water system is indicated at I9. y

A combined heat-exchange and humidifying device is also located in the basement space Il and is indicated in general by the reference numeral 20. The device is constructed as a single l5 separate unit and is connected to the boiler I4 by circulating pipes 2| and 22 so that the heating uid from the boiler will circulate therethrough. The device 20 is also connected to the hot water storage tank I1 by circulating pipes 23 and 24 so 20 that the heating fluid circulating through the device 20 will be used to heat the Water in the tank I1. In addition, the device 20 humidiiies air and is connected by a duct with the humidied air outlet box I3 in the room spaces I0 and there- 25 by supplies the humidied air to the room space.

Air for 'humidiiication may be supplied to the device 20 -either from the outside atmosphere or from the room spaces of the building. The dot and dash lines 26 indicate a pipe connecting the 80 device 20 with the outside atmosphere. Water for humiditication may be supplied to the device 2li by a suitable pipe 21 which, in so far as the broader aspects of my invention are concerned,

'may be connected to any suitable source of SI5v water supply. In the drawings, Vwe have shown the pipe 21 as connected to the hot water storage tank I1 so that the water for humidiication will be warm or hot water.

In Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, we have shown the de- 40 tail structural features of the device 2l. The device 20 is constructed as a unit and comprises an enclosing casing structure 30, here shown to be rectangular in shape and suitably formed from sheet metal. The device 20 comprises a top wall 45 3|, a bottom wall 32, side walls 33 and 34, and end walls `35 and 36. A vertical partition wall 31 extending from the top wall 3l to the bottom wall 32 and between the'side' walls 33 and JI, and a pair of spaced horizontal partition walls 33 and 39 extending from the vertical partition wall 31 to the end wall 36 and between the side walls 3 3 and 3l; divide the interior of the easingV structure into a heat-exchange space Lamumidifying space 4I, a blower space 42 and a space 55 43 for containing suitable electrical control devices for the apparatus.

Arranged within the heat-exchange space 40 is a hollow body, here shown to be in the form of a casting 45 which comprises a removable top wall 46, and a bottom wall 41 formed integral with side walls '48, 49, 56, and 5|. From Fig. 2 it will be observed that the top wall 46, bottom wall 41, and side walls i8 and 48 of the casting are respectively spaced from and arranged parallel to the top wall 3|, bottom wall 32, end wall 35, and partition wall 31, respectively, of the casing 38, thereby defining a U-shaped passage 53 for humidifled air, as willA later appear. As can be seen from an. examination of Figs. 3, 4, and 5, the casting 45 is of such a width that the side walls 50 and 5| thereof are arranged closely adjacent the side walls 33 and 3d, respectively, of the casing 36 so that the air owing through the passage 53 will not enter between these adjacent pairs of walls.

The upper part of the exterior surface of the side wall 49 is provided with a horizontally extending baiiie or defiecting wall 55 which extends across the passage 53 and engages at its outer longitudinal edge the partition wall 31, land thereby forms a closed end wall for the passage 53.

The casting 45 is secured to the `partition wall 31 by means of screws 56 extending through the wall 31 and through bosses 51, 58, and 59 projecting outwardly from the wall 49. 'I'he pro- Jecting bosses 51 and 58 are formed as a part of the baille 55 and the boss 59 is spaced downwardly from the baille and arranged centrally of the passage 53, as can be seen from an examination of Figs. 2 and 5.

An opening so 1s provided in the parution Wany 31 at points just below the end or deecting wall 55, which opening provides communication between the humidifying space 4| and the vinlet end of the passage 53. The air entering the passage 53 through the opening 68 is humidied air, as will later appear, and this air will rst strike the outer face of the wall .49 and then be deflected downwardlyy along such wall to the lower end.

thereof. 'Ihe air will then ow horizontally along the wall 41, then upwardly along the wall 48, and upwardly and across the top wall 46 to an outlet connecting with the lower end of the conduit 25. A

The interior surfaces of the walls of the casting 45 define a chamber 6| through which the heating fluid from the boiler I4 circulates. To this end, the Walls 5l) and 33 are provided with aligned openings near the top and bottom thereof, respectively, and pipe connections 62 and 63 are secured, respectively, within these openings to the Wall 50 of the casting 45. 'Ihe pipe connections 62 and 63 are connected, respectively, to the circulating pipes 2| and 22 previously described as being connected to the boiler. It will be noted at this point that in the embodimentshown, it is preferred that the iiuid circulated through the chamber 6| by the pipes 2| and 22 will be water, and this is true both in a steam heating system and in a hot water system, for in the case of a steam system, the pipes 2| and 22 are preferably connected to the boiler at points below the waterline therein.

In order to promote heat transfer between they heating uid in the chamber 6| yand the air flowing through the passage 53, the interior surfaces of the walls 49, 41, and 48,of the casting are provided with heat absorbing iins 65, and the passage 53. The exterior-surface of the wall 49 is formed with an approximately circular pocket 63 arranged opposite to the opening 60, for a purpose which will appear more fully hereinafter.

Arranged within the chamber 6|, and spaced from the walls of the casting 45, is a t'ubular heatexchanger 69 `for heating hot tap Water which may be formed from a non-corrosive metal having high thermal conducting qualities.v In so far as the broader aspects of our invention are concerned, the tubular heat-exchanger ay be of any suitable type and construction. here shown is a coil formed by a spiraliy wound is provided with pipe of the casing structure 30, and are'connected, respectively, to

/, the circulating pipes 23 and 24, the latter being in turn connected to the hot water storagetank |1 as previously described. Thus, the heat from the heating fluid within the Lchamber 6| serves both to heat the water of the hot water supply system in the tubular heat-exchanger or coil 69, and also to heat the humidiiled air owing through the passage 53.

As stated previously, the opening 60 in the partition wall 31 serves as an air outlet opening chamber 4| is also provided with an inletopening 13 extending through its defining partition and outlet openings 13 and 60.

In so far as the broader aspects of our invention are concerned,

comprising a water spray device 15, comprising a nozzle 16 which ejects a ne stream of water toward the center of a target 11 carried by the outer end of a rod 18 adjustably setrol the flow of water to the nozzle 16, and a strainer 82 serves to remove solid particles from the water flowing to the nozzle.

'I'he nozzle 16, targeti11, and pipe 80 are supported in position by a detachable plate 83 form- Arranged within aimbot ing a part of the wall'tb of the casing structure. By detaching the plate 93, the nozzle and target 'l1 may be readily withdrawn as a unit from the chamber for the purposes of inspection, cleaning, and repair. In order to facilitate the latter operation, the supply pipe 21 is provided with a coiled section 84 which permits the required movement of the nozzle into and out of the chamber tI without breaking the pipe connections. l

the blower chamber 42 is a motor driven blower, indicated by the reference character 85. The blower may be of any suitable type, but is here shown as being one of the impeller type having an inlet 88 connected to an .opening 91 in the outer wall 3 5 of the casing structure and having an outlet 88 extending through the inlet opening 13 of the chamber 4I. Secured to the outside of thev enclosing casing structure 30 and communicating with the inlet i sion in the air.

opening 8l is an extension casing 89 in which is located a removable filter 90 which serves to eliminate dust, dirt, and the like, from the air entering the blower. The extension casing 89 l may be provided with an inlet opening 9I communicating directly with the ambient air in the basement, and it also may be provided with an opening 92 connected to the outside atmosphere by the pipe 26, indicated in dot and dash lines. Instead of the pipe 28 being connected to the outside atmosphere, it may be connected to any other desired space, for example, the room space It. A detachable plate 93 forms a part of the upper wall of the extension casing and may be readily removed for the purpose of replacing the filtery 99.

In the operation of the construction shown, the chamber @I is completely lled by a finely divided mist or fog from the spray nozzle 1B, and the air flowing through the chamber from the blower absorbs a portion of the water and en` trains therein some vof the unabsorbed fog or mist. The partially humidified air with the mist entrained therein ows into the passage 53 through the opening 60 and will first strike the highly heated surfaces in and surrounding the pocket 88, and will then flow downward along the passage 53 and engage the highly heated finned outer surfaces of the walls 49, 41, and 48. As the air flows through the passage 53 and its temperature is increased by contact with the outer surfaces of the casting 45, the moisture absorbing capacity of the air is increased, which will promote the evaporation of the mist in suspen- Further heating of the air by the walls of the casting serves to superheat and temper the humidified`air so* that such humidiled air will not creatediscomfort when introduced into the room space through the grilled outlet opening of the box I3, and so that undue condensation will not occur at the outlet of the duct.

Within the lower part of the passage 53 is arranged a suitable drain opening 94 which extends through the bottom wall 32 and serves to'conduct away any relatively large particles of water carried over into the passage 53 and not evaporated. Unevaporated water in the chamber 4I flows into the passage 53 through the opening 95 in the wall 31 and will also pass to the drain through the opening 94. The pocket 68 arranged opposite the opening 60 and coaxially with the target 11 forms a unique means for quickly heating the moisture-laden air as it enters the passage 53, and thereby promotes the quick absorption of moisture by the air. The pocket 00 provides for the location of the target 11 as close to the heating surfaces as possible rand thereby serves to minimize condensation of the moisture in the air stream and on'the unheated Walls adjacent 5 the spray. The iins 65 and 66 also aid materially in the emcient humidication of the air and the effective superheating and tempering of the humidiiled air as it ows through the passage 53. -1

In Figs. 6 and '7 it will be observed that the outlet box I3 is arranged within the lower part of a room partition Wall 91 and is in the form of a casing 93 having an inlet opening 99 connected to the upper end of the duct and havl ing an outlet opening |00 communicating through an opening in the wall 91 withA the room space. The outlet opening is provided with a detachable grille IOI through which .the humidied air iiows and the interior side of the grille is provided with a plurality of deflector -plates |02 which serve to deect the air flowing through the opening |00 upwardly into the room. The area of the interior of the casing 98 adjacent the inlet opening 99 is restricted by an inclined top wall |03 and by 'walls |04 and |05 arranged at lopposite sides of the opening; and the walls |03, |04 and |05, as well as the remaining adjacent inside surfaces of the casing are coveredwith a suitable sound absorbing material, indicated at |06. This structure serves to eliminate the usual drumming noise incident to the now of air through a hollow box.

From the above, it will be appreciated that we have provided a simple and inexpensive form of 3 apparatus which performs the triple purpose of heating the air in the room spaces, of supplying humidity to such air, and of supplying hot water to thehot water taps for personal use. It will also be observed that an important part of this 4 inexpensive structure is the unitary device 29 which operates both as an external hot water heater and also as a humidifying and tempering means for humidied air. In prior-art systems for supplying humidifying air, there has always 4 been provided a separate tempering coil at the Y down stream side of the humidifier. In the prior art hot water heating systems there has always been provided a separate heat-exchanger for heating the hotwater. The usual separate 5 tempering coil and the separate heat-exchanger has been eliminated inthe present apparatus, as

we provide a single unitary device for performingvthese two functions. Considered in one sense, it might be said that we utilize `the heat which is normally lost to the atmosphere in the hot v water heaters of the prior art to perform the function of tempering and superheatng the humidied air.

According to one aspect of our invention, the apparatus described above may be considered as comprising the combination of a heating system, a hot water supply system, an air humidifying system, and a single means connected into all three systems and serving to heat the hot water and to temper and superheat the humidied air. The heating system comprises the boiler I4 containing the heating fluid, the radiator I2, and the circulating pipes I5 and I6 connecting the boiler and radiator. The hot water supply system comprises the hot water storage tank I1, the cold water supply main I9,' and the-hot water pipe I8. The humidifying system comprises the humidifying chamber 4I, the blower 85, the outlet box I3, and a conduit means connecting the f.

, connected by chamber 4l and box i3. The above-mentioned single means is the heat-exchange device comprising walls defining three separated passages arranged in heat-exchange relation with one another and respectively connected into the three systems..I The first passage is the chamber 6I connected by the circulating pipes 2i and 22 into the boiler, The second passage is the coil 69 the circulating pipes 23 and 24 to the tank lil. The third is the passage 53 forming a part of the conduit means connecting the humidifyinar chamber 4| and box' I3.

We claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a boiler containing a uid for heating room spaces; a storage tank for hot tap water; heat-exchange means arranged exteriorly of said boiler for heating said tap water by said heating fluid and including walls defining a chamber connected to the boiler to receive the heating fluid therefrom, and a tubular heat-exchange device arranged within said chamber with the heating iiuid contacting the exterior surfaces thereof and being connected to said storage tank so that the tap water flows through the interior of said device; a humidifying cas' ing; a water-atomizing device in said casing; and

blower means providing for the ow of a stream of air serially through said humidifying chamber, over the exterior surface of one of said defining walls, and then into the room spaces. 2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a system for supplying heat to room spaces and including a boiler containing a fluid for heating said spaces; a hot water supply system; a heat-exchange device for heatingr the water of said last-named system by said heating fluid and comprising walls defining a closed chamber separated from said boiler and having inlet and outlet pipe connections connected tO the boiler so that said heating fluid circulates ber-defining walls-to provide a passage for air having-one side thereof defined by the `exterior surface of said chamber-walls; an air-humidifying chamber having an air inlet and an air outlet, the outlet being connected to one end of said passage; conduit means connecting the other end of said passage with the room space; and means providingfor the flow of air serially through said humidifying chamber, said passage, and said conduit means.

3. A combined external water heater and humidifier for use with heating boilers for building arranged Within said housing and having pipe connections at its ends providing for the circulation of water for tap use therethrough; a casing enclosing at least a portion of said housing and defining therewith a passage for the fiow of air having an inlet and an outlet and adapted to be connected at its outlet to the building space; and spray means for adding moisture to the air at the inlet end of said passage.`

said passage,

4. The combination with a boiler containing a fiuid for heating room spaces, and a water heater arranged externally of said boiler and comprising a hollow housing, pipes connecting the housing with the boiler and providing for the circulation of the boiler fluid through said housing, and a pipe coil arranged within said housing and including end pipe connections extending through said housing and adapted to connect said coil into a domestic water supply system; Vof a casing enclosing said water heater and including defining walls arranged in spaced relation to the exterior surface of said housing to dene therewith a passage for air having inlet and outlet ends; a blower carried by said casing and providing for the fow of air through said passage; means for introducing a stream of nely divided water into the air as it enters said passage; and a conduit adapted to convey the humidified and tempered air from the outlet end of said passage into the room space.

5. A unitary attachment for use with boilers and adapted to be arranged externally thereof, and comprising a hollow housing having pipe connections adapted to be connected to a boiler to provide for the circulation of the boiler heating fluid therethrough; a pipe coil within said housing and having its ends extending through said housing and adapted to be connetced to a hot water supply system; a casing enclosing said within said blower chamber and providing for the iiow of air serially through said humiditying chamber and said passage; and water atomizing means in said humidifying chamber.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the

combination with a boiler containing a fluid for heating room spaces, of a unitary externally arranged attachment for the boiler and operable to heat water for domestic use and to supply humidied air to the room spaces and comprising walls,deiining a. hollow housing, pipe connections connecting the interior of said housing to said boiler and providing for the circulation of the boiler uid through said housing, a tubular heatexchange device arranged Within said housing with the external surfaces thereof in thermal contact with the boiler uid and having end pipe connections extending through said housing and adapted to be connected into a hot water supply system, walls defining a casing enclosing said housing and spaced from said housing walls to provide an air passage therebetween having inlet and outlet ends, blower means carried by said casing and providing for the ow of air through and means within said casing for introducing a stream of finely divided water into the air as it enters said passage; and conduit means connected to the outlet end of said passage and adapted to connect said unitary attachment with said room spaces.

ROBERT E. DALY. BERNARD GOERG.

having an outlet -directly 

